Cottonmouth

The kids and I were inside when the door flew open and Charles ran in. “OH MY GOD!! OH MY GOD!! OH MY GOD!!” He runs into the other room and grabs the sword. As he passes through the living room he yells, “It’s HUGE!” I follow him out the door. He’s half way across the yard and running with the sword out. It was like a martial arts movie. He skids to a stop at the base of the hill and chopped once, twice, three times into the tall grass.

I approach slowly and he picks up his prize; a long snake body. The kids are on my heels eager to see what the commotion is all about. “Cool, Dad.” is Fish’s first reaction. “We’ve got to bury the head.” Keek comments. The writhing snake’s body (sans head) is as tall as Fish. It’s a Cottonmouth. Eeeeke. After the initial shock wears off, but while it’s still twitching, Keek says, “We should eat it.” Bear Grylls would be proud.